Official Launch of the Joint Pilot Action at the Trstenik Underwater Archaeological Site
31/08/2026
The ARCHAEODIGIT project – ARCHAEological DIGITal Paths for an Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism – has officially launched its Joint Pilot Action at the Trstenik underwater archaeological site in Kaštel Sućurac, Croatia.
Led by the City of Kaštela, the Pilot Action represents an important milestone within the project, introducing innovative digital solutions designed to improve the interpretation, accessibility and visitor experience of an archaeological site that is physically inaccessible to the public.
Permanently installed in the archaeological section of the Museum of the City of Kaštela at Vitturi Castle, the Pilot Action creates a complementary digital experience that brings the story of Trstenik from beneath the sea into the museum, while avoiding additional physical pressure on the protected archaeological remains.
Connecting visitors with underwater heritage through digital innovation
The main objective of the Joint Pilot Action is to make the archaeological heritage of Trstenik understandable and engaging for a broad range of visitors, combining preservation with public access.
Through tactile interaction, digital interpretation and audiovisual storytelling, visitors can discover the ancient ship and its underwater archaeological context, explore the history of the Kaštela area and gain a deeper understanding of the site's cultural significance.
The experience combines several interconnected digital and physical elements, creating a continuous and accessible visitor journey.
A tactile 3D model: exploring Trstenik through touch
At the heart of the installation is a 3D-printed model of the ancient Trstenik ship and its surrounding underwater archaeological context.
Created from precise photogrammetric documentation, the model allows visitors to explore the shape and features of the archaeological remains through direct tactile interaction. Integrated touch sensors connect the physical model with the accompanying digital content, creating an engaging link between the archaeological object and its interpretation.
This approach is particularly valuable for visitors who cannot access the underwater site itself and contributes to a more inclusive way of experiencing archaeological heritage.
An interactive digital map: discovering the archaeological landscape
The Pilot Action also features an interactive digital map of Kaštela with 11 points of interest.
Through an intuitive touchscreen interface, visitors can explore the area chronologically and access archaeological information through images, texts, audio content, videos and animations.
The application also integrates existing digital resources developed by the Museum of the City of Kaštela, including the UnderwaterMuse VR application and the 3D reconstruction of the Trstenik ship, bringing different layers of digital interpretation together in a single visitor experience.
Audiovisual storytelling: bringing the history of Kaštela to life
The visitor journey is further enriched by nine thematic audiovisual productions, each approximately two to three minutes long.
Combining expert interviews, aerial and location footage, underwater material, animations and 3D visualisations, the videos explore the historical development of Kaštela from the Neanderthal period to the emergence of the Kaštela settlements.
One of the videos focuses specifically on the end of Antiquity, including a detailed animation of the submerged ships at Trstenik, helping visitors visualise an archaeological context that cannot be directly experienced underwater.
Accessibility at the heart of the experience
Inclusiveness is a key element of the Joint Pilot Action.
The interface has been designed with a clear and visitor-centred approach, incorporating readable typography, high-contrast content, adaptable text and audio descriptions for blind and visually impaired visitors.
The principal content, including audiovisual narration and translations, is available in Croatian, English and Italian, making the experience accessible to both local and international audiences.
Innovation serving heritage preservation
The Trstenik Joint Pilot Action demonstrates how digital innovation can create new opportunities to experience archaeological heritage without compromising its preservation.
By bringing the underwater archaeological site into the museum through tactile models, interactive technologies and immersive storytelling, the initiative establishes a sustainable bridge between heritage protection, accessibility and public engagement.
Rather than replacing the original archaeological site, the digital experience complements it, allowing visitors to discover and understand Trstenik while ensuring that the protected remains beneath the sea are preserved for future generations.
Through this Pilot Action, ARCHAEODIGIT contributes to a new model of inclusive and sustainable archaeological tourism, demonstrating how digital technologies can transform inaccessible heritage into meaningful and engaging visitor experiences across the Adriatic-Ionian Region.